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Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project

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Inmates at the Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore, Alabama discuss the character, Polonius in Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" as part of the Alabama Prison Arts and Education Program. Ann Hermes/Staff

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As the leader of a prison ministry, I strongly support the Democracy Restoration Act because I know that people can be redeemed. Yet for redemption to impact the nation, people must be restored to their communities, and restoration requires an opportunity – like voting.

A tussle between Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney in Monday’s GOP primary debate highlighted one issue that too often gets overlooked – restoring the right to vote in federal elections for those with past criminal convictions. As Congress reconvenes this week, lawmakers must get behind a bill that would restore this right to former prisoners living and working in American communities.